How should New Zealand see itself in world affairs, and does Chile provide a model for how we might do so?
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Value and Price
The social worth of a person in no way reflects their income or wealth. To confuse the two notions is to play into the values of the rich.
Read MoreQuick thoughts on the foreign trust lobbying affair
Some very quick thoughts on the matter of the PM's lawyer and his lobbying efforts, written on a Friday afternoon while waiting for a taxi to take me to the airport. So don't expect anything too deep and meaningful!
Read MoreAre animals to blame for peak antibiotics?
How signing the TPPA and buying New Zealand meat could help the fight against our growing resistance to antibiotics
Read MoreParliament's 2014 election review: the goodish, the so-so, and the ugly
The parliamentary review of the 2014 election has just been reported. What treats do our MPs have in store for the 2017 campaign and beyond?
Read MoreBible in schools: externalising an internal debate for & against
Bible in schools looks like a class out of time, the remnants of a time that's passed. But 650+ schools still choose to teach it. What are the pros and cons? I wrestle me way through them
Read MoreBible in schools: externalising an internal debate for & against
Bible in schools looks like a class out of time, the remnants of a time that's passed. But 650+ schools still choose to teach it. What are the pros and cons? I wrestle me way through them
Read MoreThe 'time thieves' at customer service
My wife and I have been waiting for a total of 11.5 hours now for a tradsperson to arrive to fix our dishwasher. When we can send a man to the moon – and are told customer service is all in the modern economy – how come this keeps happening?
Read MoreReducing External Political Interference in New Zealand: A Modest Proposal.
Are we too generous about the civilian rights of non-doms, who do not pay tax on all their incomes?
Read MoreFor some people, lightning really does strike twice
It's been said that Winston Peters is NZ's great political survivor. He's also been the beneficiary of a fair bit of legal luck along the way.
Read MoreGrumbling
Responses to the flag referendum and the TPPA have parallels overseas such as supporting Trump in the US and Brexit in Britain. A sizeable proportion of the population think that the government is not listening to them and doesn’t care about them.
Read MoreCYF reform: Moving from 'we must do something" to 'are we doing the right thing?'
Trouble-shooting the CYF reforms: Yes,we need to act, but there are two big political calls underlying the radical overhaul that raise questions about whether this is the best way to go
Read MoreDoing the maths on historical monuments
Colonial monuments have rightly come under scrutiny. We should not the remove controversial reminders, but we do need to tell a wider range of stories about history in our public places
Read MoreConfirmation: importing (some) medical marijuana is lawful
Provided it was lawfully obtained overseas for the treatment of a medical condition, you legally are permitted to bring up to 31 days worth of medical marijuana into New Zealand. Here's the proof.
Read MoreSlater slams history. At least the discussion of it
A fascinating bit of reporting on our history draws out one particular hater and a bit of nonsense. But the topic itself is an intriguing debate
Read MoreWhen not lying isn't enough
Is the Prime Minister playing fast and loose with intelligence information? We now know that he knew more about those jihadi brides than he first let on
Read MoreA Lack of Interest
Are we entering a long period of secular stagnation in which interest rates are low? We cannot foresee all the implications.
Read MoreGod Save the Flag vs God Defend the Flag?
The story of our national anthems might provide guidance for how to proceed with the flag.
Read MoreThe time is always right to do the right thing
Without anyone apparently noticing, the Auckland Transport Board has decided for Auckland ratepayers just when it is appropriate to convey their political beliefs to the world. Can they really do that?
Read MorePaying the price in Auckland
What's an affordable house worth in Auckland these days? The Prime Minister reckons 'it depends', but actually it doesn't. Plus, his Trade Me slip up
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